Pope Leo XIV's Participation in the 2024 U.S. Election and His Voting Record

The newly appointed head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, previously known as Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, has a history of engaging in not just ecclesiastical voting but also in the American political landscape.

Residing in New Lenox, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Prevost is recorded as an active voter. His voting history reveals participation in both Republican and Democratic primaries as per information provided to CBS News and data retrieved from the Illinois State Board of Elections.

In Illinois, while voters do not register by party, primary voters must select a party ballot. Pope Leo XIV, in his civilian life, chose to participate more frequently in Republican primaries. His most recent primary vote was cast during the 2016 Republican presidential primary.

Pope Leo XIV last participated in the 2024 general election, but the details of his party preference in this election remain undisclosed.

Voting records, shared with CBS by political consultant Jared Small from "L2 Data"—a service providing electoral data to political campaigns—showcase his involvement. CBS News also reached out to the local Clerk's Office for additional data.

His primary voting record includes the Republican contests of 2012, 2014, and 2016, with involvement in presidential primaries in 2012 and 2016, while his Democratic primary participation was noted in 2010, with previous participation in 2008.

Over time, Pope Leo XIV has voted in at least nine general elections, spanning five presidential cycles: 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2024. Notably absent, however, is his participation in the 2016 and 2020 general elections.

His voting history also includes a consolidated general election in April 2001, involving local Illinois elections.

In February, social media posts from an account under Prevost's name delivered sharp critiques of Republican Vice President JD Vance and shared an article by Cardinal Timothy Dolan addressing the challenges posed by Donald Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Despite these critiques, Trump and Vance expressed commendation for Leo XIV's papal election, with Trump declaring Leo XIV's rise as a significant honor for America, marking him as the first American to hold the papacy.

Educated at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago, Pope Leo XIV, ordained a priest in 1982 and having served in numerous capacities within the Augustinian Province of Chicago, shares a heartfelt admiration for the Chicago White Sox baseball team, as confirmed by his brother John Prevost.

Historical Milestone: The First American Pope

This information was reported by Aaron Navarro of CBS News, who specializes in coverage of the 2024 elections. Navarro previously contributed as an associate producer within CBS News' political unit during the 2021 and 2022 election seasons.